As an estuary, Narragansett Bay provides a buffer for coastal areas against erosion and damage from ocean storms, and filters pollution from the land before it reaches the sea. The Bay’s ecosystem also provides delicate habitats for a variety of marine animals and plants.

Nearly 2 million people live in Narragansett Bay’s watershed, in 100 cities and towns.

As a transportation route, the Bay provides access to commercial cargo vessels and to recreational cruise ships.

Research on the Bay generates over $85 million per year. Larger research-related activities of governmental and educational facilities are estimated to generate far more.

Tourism and recreation on Narragansett Bay generates $2 billion per year. In an average year, over 4 million people visit the Bay’s public beaches and a million recreational fishermen enjoy the Bay’s bounty. Recreational sailors spend more than $165 million each year pursuing their hobby on the Bay.

Commercial shell fishermen dig millions of pounds of quahogs from Narragansett Bay each year, contributing the state’s $75 million fishing industry.

Nearly 300 firms in Rhode Island are engaged in Bay-related industries, such as boat building, providing more than 8,000 jobs.